Thin is Still In: Apple iPad Air 2 Specs

iPad Air (2013). Refreshed models are expected next week. Expect incremental improvements when Apple unveils the iPad Air 2.

While the iPhone 6 announcement was a significant leap forward, introducing the world to not only one larger iPhone, but in the form of the iPhone 6 Plus and its 5.5-inch screen, to two new models simultaneously launched. That’s something Apple has not done previously. Don’t expect quite as much magic this go around with refreshed iPads.

Design-wise expect the iPad Air 2 to look pretty much the same as the current model, which starts at $499 (16GB) and has been shipping since November 2013. Bezels reportedly will be nearly the same width (disappointing if true). Gold will be an option (no doubt will be a hot seller). Per The Michael Report, the new Airs will come with a “fully-laminated display.”

Speakers will now take up a single row grill (instead of two on the current Air).

Silent/Screen rotation lock switch: Could fall victim to Apple’s effort to trim 0.5mm from the new tablet’s design.

Some will miss this: the silent/screen rotation lock switch is gone, a necessary move to accommodate for the thinner design.

Other iPad Air 2 specs include:

A8 CPU processor (made by TMSC)

2GM RAM

8 MP camera

Apple Pay (but like the iPhone 6 won’t be functional until 2015)

Storage options: 32, 64 and 128GB

Word is the new Retina display will enable Apple to reduce thickness by 0.5 mm – doesn’t sound like much, but remember the current iPad Air is only 7.5mm thick, so that would represent about a 7% reduction.

THE TABLET MARKET COOLS

Meanwhile the overall tablet market continues to slow.

By year end, shipments in 2014 will represent about a 50% reduction in growth.

245 million: 2014 worldwide tablet shipments according to IDC

There could be a few reasons for the slowdown:

1. Larger phones such as the iPhone 6 – users can browse and read more easily on “phablets” reducing the need for a tablet (or at least a small tablet such as the iPad Mini).

2. Saturation – everyone has a tablet, and the need to upgrade is a low priority.

Incremental improvements to be sure. But the iPad Air is already one of the most beautifully designed tech devices of all time – while I was hoping to see something cooler related to the bezel design, I think this update will satiate the Apple faithful.